Fox's Geraldo Rivera weighing US Senate run in NJ

FILE - In this June 25, 2010 file photo, Fox News Channel commentator Geraldo Rivera speaks on the "Fox & friends" television program in New York. Rivera said Friday, March 23, 2012 that Florida teenager Trayvon Martin's hoodie is as much responsible for his death as the neighborhood watch captain who shot him. Rivera said Friday on "Fox & Friends" that people wearing hooded sweatshirts are often going to be perceived as a menace regardless. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, file)

February 1, 2013 5:54:23 AM PST

Associated Press

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - February 1, 2013 --

Geraldo Rivera, who hosts a weekend show on Fox News Channel, said Thursday he's seriously thinking about running for U.S. Senate in New Jersey.

"Buckle your seat belts!" said Rivera before announcing, on his radio show on WABC-AM in New York, that he is "truly contemplating" a Senate bid.

He said he has spoken to some people in the New Jersey GOP about a run, but he didn't say what they told him.

Rivera got a mixed response when he asked his 30,000 Twitter followers how they feel about him challenging either Sen. Frank Lautenberg or Newark Mayor Cory Booker.

At 89, Lautenberg is the oldest sitting U.S. senator. The Democrat hasn't said if he will seek re-election.

Booker, also a Democrat, has announced he is exploring a run but hasn't made clear if he would challenge Lautenberg in a primary, should he seek another term.

No Republican has formally announced an interest in running.

Rivera, who is 69, said he has commitments to Fox and the radio show, but "I figure at my age if I'm going to do it, I gotta do it."

"And there doesn't seem to be any Republicans ready to work against or run against" Lautenberg or Booker, he said.

The New Jersey Republican party did not return an email asking for comment.